Christie releases district by district school aid figures

Students solve math problems during a Clifton High School SAT prep course.

Governor Christie released district-level aid figures Thursday for his proposed 2014-15 budget, which gives slight increases to all communities.

With Christie’s proposed $9 billion in total aid to schools, about $37 million more than the current year; every district would receive a small boost, including $10 per pupil to cover the cost of getting ready for new online tests, and $10 per pupil for other expenses. The proposal continues to fall far short of what the state’s 2008 funding law requires.

Christie sought more dollars for education for the fourth year in a row. When he first became governor in 2010, he cut aid and forced districts to spend some of their savings, saying the recession required tough sacrifices.

In his budget speech Tuesday, the governor touted his “historic support” for schools. The vast majority of the new education dollars - $481 million – would go towards teachers’ pensions, retirees’ medical benefits, debt service and teachers’ social security. All in all, Christie is seeking $12.9 billion for education next year, up from $12.4 billion in the current year.

He also wants a slight rise in aid for preschools and programs that let students attend public schools outside their districts, plus $5 million for a competitive grants fund for schools hoping to experiment with extending the school day.

Governor Christie released district-level aid figures Thursday for his proposed 2014-15 budget, which gives slight increases to all communities.

With Christie’s proposed $9 billion in total aid to schools, about $37 million more than the current year; every district would receive a small boost, including $10 per pupil to cover the cost of getting ready for new online tests, and $10 per pupil for other expenses. The proposal continues to fall far short of what the state’s 2008 funding law requires.

Christie sought more dollars for education for the fourth year in a row. When he first became governor in 2010, he cut aid and forced districts to spend some of their savings, saying the recession required tough sacrifices.

In his budget speech Tuesday, the governor touted his “historic support” for schools. The vast majority of the new education dollars - $481 million – would go towards teachers’ pensions, retirees’ medical benefits, debt service and teachers’ social security. All in all, Christie is seeking $12.9 billion for education next year, up from $12.4 billion in the current year.

He also wants a slight rise in aid for preschools and programs that let students attend public schools outside their districts, plus $5 million for a competitive grants fund for schools hoping to experiment with extending the school day.